Marty Gordon
Rumors had been floating for months about the possibility racing would return to a Pulaski County drag strip and paved oval, but Wednesday management said there no plans at the present time to promote weekly series racing events at either site.
However, management is open to exploring partnerships with outside promoters interested in bringing weekly series racing to Pulaski County Motorsports Park next season.
Promoters or groups interested in renting the speedway or dragway for racing events in 2025 are encouraged to submit a detailed proposal by email to info@pulaskicountymp.com.
In April, the track’s ownership (the Shelor car dealership in Christiansburg) gave Pulaski County the deed to both it and the nearby Calfee Park in Pulaski.
The county’s administrator called it one of the largest private donations to a local government in all of Virginia. Jonathan Sweet said it was one of the largest private donations historically in the state of Virginia. He was emotional in speaking to the crowd of local leaders and media.
Sweet said it was great day for both the county and local sports fans in keeping the facility open for future sporting events.
The 157-acre facility has a long, rich history in the area dating to 1952. It has changed ownership four times in the past 20 years.
Last year, the county announced a name change to the facility, becoming known as the Pulaski County Motorsports Park. The names the facility has formerly been known as include Pulaski County Speedway, New River Valley Speedway, then Motor Mile Speedway.
Five years ago, the speedway and adjacent dragway were listed for sale at $1.4 million. The exact real estate value is not currently public but could be near that early amount or more.
Three years ago, the track reopened with NASCAR races under the management of the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience.
But in November, parent company of Calfee Park Baseball and the Pulaski River Turtles announced it would be resuming management. The ownership said after leasing Motor Mile Speedway & Dragway to Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, Motor Mile would resume management of the venue for the 2024 season. In the same breath, the ownership said there would be NASCAR-sanctioned nor a full schedule of racing in the near future.
Current plans include several special events such as the always-popular Monster Truck, Nights of Destruction and JJ DA BOSS Tours. Other types of events such as concerts and live-action events are being considered.
Under the new arrangement. the Motor Mile group would continue to hold events at least for the next three years with revenue of any events going directly to the county and its future endeavors.
Motor Mile spokesperson Melissa Epperly said the Motor Mile sports management team will continue to be involved in the operation of the venue and are working on infrastructure improvements, as they begin planning for their fall schedule of events and even expanding for special events in 2025,
The Shelor ownership group also gave Calfee Park to the county. Again, they plan to continue operation for at least the next three years of the Appalachian Summer League’s the River Turtles.
Calfee was built in 1935 and has been the home for several minor league baseball teams since then. Motor Mile took over the park and its surrounding parcels in 2015.
